Ms. Serrano, 60, a grandmother of five, and her co-worker, Marion Anderson-Ryan of Brooklyn, were struck by a minivan and killed on Nov. 27, 2013, as they crossed rain-slicked Forest Hill Road in Willowbrook.

A spokeswoman for the city Law Department, which is representing the city and the DOT, declined comment, citing the pending litigation.

In a telephone interview, Gatchalian, now 60, expressed regret over the incident, but said he didn't believe he was at fault.

He said there was no street light in the immediate area, it was raining and he could not see the women until the last second.

"I had no time to react. They just appeared in front of me," said the Mariners Harbor resident. "The street is very dangerous."

According to Advance reports, the incident occurred around 5:30 p.m.

Ms. Serrano and Ms. Anderson-Ryan were crossing Forest Hill Road to reach a parking lot on the opposite side when they were struck by a 2013 Honda Odyssey minivan, driven by Gatchalian.

Gatchalian, who was New Springville-bound, hit the women near 1100 Forest Hill Road – just outside the entrance to the SIDDSO office.

Heavily-trafficked Forest Hill Road has no sidewalks on the side of the road where the van was traveling. The location is near the rear entrance to the College of Staten Island and other community facilities.

The two victims succumbed to their injuries hours later in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, said officials.

Gatchalian, who remained on the scene, was issued a summons for failing to provide an insurance card, police said. He was not arrested or charged with any crimes.

In the phone interview, Gatchalian said he believes he hit only one woman, and the two of them were subsequently struck by a car headed in the opposite direction on Forest Hill Road. That contact proved fatal to them, he maintained.

Gatchalian said he told cops about the second vehicle; however, there is no mention of that car in police reports.

In their civil complaint, Ms. Serrano's family alleges that the absence of those traffic-control and safety devices created a "dangerous and hazardous condition."

They further contend the roadway was improperly designed and constructed by the city and DOT.

A woman of deep faith, Ms. Serrano was devoted to her family, they said. She donated to the Autism Society of America through her employer, where she was a supervisor, and often participated in the annual Staten Island Walk Now for Autism Speaks event.